Spiritual Blindness

At the Isaiah 58 & 59 manuscript study, God probed at my heart and gave me questions to be asking as I work at my site.

In his day, Isaiah had some issues with the people of God. But why? They were continually shouting out to God, confessing sins, praying, seeking Him and His will, delighting in the thought of His presence, and confessing sins. They were even fasting. Their actions seemed proper. But it didn’t matter. Despite their actions, they were still indirectly and directly oppressing others. They weren’t helping causes of injustice towards the powerless, the lowly, and the poor. They manipulated the system so they could do all the right things yet also maintain their selfish desires.

Am I doing things for God all too well? Am I convincing myself that I’m not going through the motions, yet ever-so-slightly twisting Christianity so that it works out well for my preferences, my comfort, my agendas?

These people also had instances of mixing elements from pagan religions into their worship, and God detested it. Is this me? Like a fish oblivious to the reality that he’s swimming, am I submersed in an ocean of man-made ideas? How much have I weaved American values or worldly thoughts into my practices? Where do I even begin with attempting to step outside myself and look at my narrow viewpoint, my biases, my preconceived notions?

These are some of the questions I’ve been asking as I go throughout the day. I’m praying God uses FUI and all else around me to chip away at areas of spiritual blindness in my life.

Mark 7:6-9
“‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain, teaching the commandments of men as commands from God.’ You have let go of God’s law and are holding to human tradition.” Then Jesus said, “You are experts at setting aside the commands of God in order to keep your own traditions!”

-Daniel F